Description

As one of the four key materials, electrolyte is mixed in certain proportions of solvent, electrolyte, and additives. It is mainly used in the fields such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage devices.

Globally, lithium battery electrolyte, which originated in the 1990s, has long been monopolized by Japanese and South Korean manufacturers. With the growth of Chinese electrolyte manufacturers and domestic production of lithium hexafluorophosphate, the foreign capacity of lithium battery electrolyte has been gradually shifted to China, with the capacity in China for 2014 accounting for 53.3% of the global total.

The global consumer electronics have the largest demand for lithium battery electrolyte, occupying 80.7% in 2013, followed by the demand from electric vehicles, sharing 13.5% in 2013. It is projected that amid the slowed growth in demand from consumer electronics and rapid expansion in EV demand, the EV’s demand for lithium battery electrolyte will exceed consumer electronics’ in 2018.

In order to improve the battery energy density to increase EV driving range, high-voltage cathode materials will be mainly developed. Therefore, the corresponding high-voltage electrolyte will become the main trend for future electrolyte development. Globally, 4.2-4.35V high-voltage electrolyte has now become mature; 4.4-4.5V high-voltage electrolyte is being marketed; and 5V high-voltage electrolyte is under development. Additive formula is a major technological means to obtain high-voltage electrolyte and thus become a top priority of investment. The gap in solvents and additives between Chinese and foreign manufacturers is narrowing.

World’s influential lithium electrolyte producers consist of Ukseung, LG CHEM, Mitsubishi Chemical, UBE Industries, Guotai Huarong, and Capchem, etc. In 2013, the sales volume of lithium battery electrolyte globally amounted to 61,000 tons, 9.5% of which came from Ukseung, making it the world’s No. 1. And Guotai Huarong, the largest lithium battery electrolyte manufacturer in China, represented 8.5% of the global total, ranking the third place worldwide.

Ukseung: the company’s biggest lithium electrolyte client is Samsung SDI (a global leader in small-sized lithium batteries). In 2013, Ukseung sold 57.7% of its products to Samsung SDI. In addition, the company shared some of its electrolyte patents with Samsung SDI.

UBE Industries: the company has gradually transferred electrolytic capacity to China. In 2013, UBE Industries (24.5%), together with HNEC (51.0%), HighChem (24.5%), established a joint-venture electrolyte raw material (DMC) production company in Puyang city, Henan province, with production capacity of 100kt/a.

Guotai Huarong: In September 2014, a 5kt/a lithium battery electrolyte project was completed and received final acceptance. Thus, the company’s lithium battery electrolyte capacity was expanded to 10kt/a.

Capchem: In July 2014, the company acquired a 76% stake in Zhangjiagang Hicomer Chemical Co., Ltd., a company that produces lithium battery additives, for RMB27.97 million, hoping to improve electrolyte industry chain.

Guangzhou Tinci: In September 2014, the company publicly offered shares for raising funds in an attempt to purchase a 100% interest in Dongguan Kaixin. When the acquisition is completed, the company will successfully enter ATL lithium battery industry chain.